The speech was meant to bolster Umno and not to tear the fabric of goodwill upheld by the BN component parties, Khairy told reporters after opening the Kluang division Umno Youth delegates meeting here Sunday.

Khairy said he stressed on the spirit of consensus in BN and Umno as the backbone of BN had to be strong for the well-being of the coalition.

"What I said was that we must progress together, we need a strong Umno. We must accept that the strength of BN lies with Umno and Umno has to be strong for the good of BN.

"If Umno is not strong, some quarters might take advantage and affect the goodwill in BN, not the other kind of advantage. This was my message," he said.

However, he said, he had yet to find out the content of the reports in the Chinese press.

"I was informed only this morning. My message was clear, BN strength is derived from Umno. I hope other leaders understand this. The component parties need a strong Umno. I received a request (for a meeting) from Datuk Ling (Hee Leong), so I will see him soon," he said.